Walking Olana
Olana State Historic Site is the former home of famed Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, located in the Hudson Valley, New York. This stunning 250-acre estate offers breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River, reflecting the landscape that inspired Church’s iconic paintings. Designed by Frederic Church himself in collaboration with architect Calvert Vaux, Olana blends Victorian, Moorish, and Persian influences, creating a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece.
Visitors to Olana can explore Church’s meticulously designed home, which is filled with his original paintings, global artifacts, and lavish interiors. The surrounding landscape, carefully planned by Church, features winding carriage roads, scenic overlooks, and preserved natural beauty that mirrors his artistic vision.
Today, Olana is a must-visit destination for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and nature seekers. Guided tours provide insight into Frederic Church’s life and work, while seasonal events and exhibitions celebrate the legacy of the Hudson River School. Whether admiring the historic mansion or wandering the picturesque grounds, Olana offers a glimpse into the world of one of America’s greatest landscape painters. Experience the inspiration behind Church’s art and the beauty that continues to captivate visitors at Olana State Historic Site.
We were at Olana to enjoy a break in the winter weather and enjoy a warm day down low where the snow wasn’t still holding on. The restored carriage roads and trails across the site make for some great walking and we were able to piece together a 3.5 mile loop around the site that included a number of historic areas, including Olana itself, several other historic sites, and some beautiful views of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains beyond.
We began at the relatively new Visitor Center for the historic site, which is located just a bit up the access road from the entrance on Route 9G. The visitor center offers clean bathrooms, information on the site and the Hudson River School, along with helpful staff for planning out your visit.
From the Visitor Center, we began following the Lake Road Carriage Road and followed Lake Road to its intersection with the Crown Hill Road (all of the carriage roads are called roads, not trails). There we turned off and followed Crown Hill Road to the top of Crown Hill, which offered us a beautiful view of Olana sitting atop Church Hill. We returned the way we came to Lake Road and continued following it to the Wagon House area.
At the Wagon House area we explored the historic structures and then made our way across the access road and took a short path up through the fields to the start of Ridge Road. We followed Ridge Road up and around Church Hill, coming out just below Olana on the access. Along the way on Ridge Road, we came to one of our very favorite views - looking out across the Hudson Valley with the Catskill Mountains rising directly across from up on the other side of the valley. From the end of Ridge Road, we walked up the access road to Olana itself and took in the views there. We could have signed up for a tour, but we have already taken it and we were really there to enjoy the walk, not go on the tour again.
From Olana we descended on the North Road until its intersection with Farm Road. We followed Farm Road back to the Wagon House area, then got back on Lake Road to return to the Visitor Center and the parking area where our car was.
All told this was an easy 3.5 mile walk with about 320 feet of vertical elevation climbed along the way. These trails and carriage roads are the perfect walk for folks who don’t hike often but want to get outdoors, or for those looking to escape ice and mud in the mountains during the shoulder seasons. The views along the way, plus the history make this a one of a kind area to walk. For those who have never been to Olana or those who want to learn more about the Hudson River School, the tours of Olana is not to be missed. You’ll learn a lot about Frederick Church, his art, the building, the grounds, and the entire Hudson River School. Plus you’ll get to see several original artworks in the house on the tour.
Trail Details:
Easy
Approximately 3.5 miles loop walk.
Approximately 320 feet of elevation gain.
For More Information
You can find out more about this this hike here:
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Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
